San Antonio, Texas – Deadly shooting, both from the field and the free throw line in the second half, made the difference as the host school defeated the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point, 74-67, in the St. Mary’s Classic at Alumni Gym on Wednesday night.

The Rattlers, who trailed by as many as 13 points in the opening half, closed to within 32-25 at halftime, then took over down the stretch.

The win improved St. Mary’s, a traditional NAIA Division I power, to 5-9 on the season while UW-SP dropped to 8-4 in earning a split in their two games in the Lone Star state.

The Pointers now turn their attention to two important WIAC games at home next week, against UW-Oshkosh on Wednesday and UW-Platteville on Saturday.

The Rattlers hit on 13-26 second half shots and sank 20-22 free throws, including 13 in the final 2:30. That allowed St. Mary’s, which was leading 61-55, to withstand several determined charges by the Pointers who got into a situation where they were forced to foul down the stretch.

The Pointers got to within 68-64 with 22 seconds left on a drive by Kalonji Kadima but could get no closer, misfiring on a pair of 3 point attempts by Jay Bennett.

Two free throws by Charles Hickman gave St. Mary’s a 74-64 lead before Gabe Frank drained a 3-pointer just before the final horn.

The Pointers’ strong first half showing featured 11-20 accuracy from the floor. In the second half, however, UW-SP made just 11-27, including 4 of 13 from beyond the arc.

Each team had 22 baskets and the Pointers had a 6-5 edge in treys but the Rattlers proved to be deadly poisonous at the line, converting 25 of 30 compared to 17 of 22 by UW-SP.

Brant Bailey, who made 8 of 13 shots, led the Pointers with 22 points. Frank, the only Pointer named to the all-Classic team, had a strong outing with 19 points, including 5 of 8 from beyond the arc, and 5 steals. Redshirt freshman Kadima also impressed with 17 points, six rebounds and four assists. Derek Westrum led the rebound effort with seven and also dished out seven assists. Other than three in double digits, however, the rest of the Pointers combined for just nine points.

The Rattlers had four players in double figures. Michael Owens and Rodney Gray led the way with 17 points each while Hickman contributed 13 and Buddy Meyer 12. Owens, Hickman, and Meyer were named to the all-Classic team, along with Ryan Stremlow of St. Ambrose (Iowa).